India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
